Centurion – Titans captain Henry Davids says a more disciplined approach with the ball will be the key to overcoming the Lions in their domestic one-day cup game at the Wanderers on Friday.
In their last game the Titans posted a mammoth 340 for six against the Dolphins in Centurion last week, but could not contain the visitors in their rain-reduced chase of 301 in 42 overs as the bowlers were dispatched to all parts of SuperSport Park.
“We didn't bowl well in the last game. We didn't field well either,” Davids said on Thursday.
“We've started to hit our lengths in training, and we need to improve come tomorrow. We need to be more disciplined for longer in the game.”
Marchant de Lange showed promise in his 8.1 overs against the Dolphins albeit conceding 50, and displayed extreme pace throughout his spells.
“Marchant has been great. He bowled really quick over the weekend, and he was our best bowler on the day.
“He hit proper lengths at great pace Ä he was bowling very quickly. It's great to have a guy that can bowl 150km per hour.”
On his one-day cup debut, Titans number three batsman Theunis de Bruyn struck 108 and Farhaan Behardien bludgeoned 105 from 67 balls as the hosts looked on their way to victory.
“You don't often get a game where two guys get a century. I can see all the guys are hitting the ball sweetly in the nets, I know if Theunis and Fudge 1/8Behardien 3/8 don't come off tomorrow, someone else will.
“We're in a very good space as a batting unit, and we're getting there as a whole unit.”
Davids missed out in the high scoring affair, departing in the second over of the innings against the Dolphins, but said he had been timing the ball really well in practice.
Last season the Titans did the double over their neighbours, and Davids was optimistic his charges could repeat the feat.
“We're expecting another close game. Last season it was two big scoring games we had against the Lions. Hopefully we can come out on top again.”
The Lions would have a short turnaround, after playing the Dolphins on Wednesday.
The game was washed out after the Lions posted 233 for five in 45 overs.
Neil McKenzie scored a majestic century, needing just 23 balls to bring up his second 50 of his innings after a slow start.
“Neil got an unbelievable hundred last night, that's just Neil Mac,” said Davids.
“When the chips are down, he's always a guy that can come out on top for you. Obviously he's a great player, and we just need to stick to our game plans, and see if we can get him out early or contain him later in the innings.”
In other games on Friday, the Knights host the Dolphins in Bloemfontein and the Warriors welcome the Cobras in Port Elizabeth.
On Sunday, the Lions travel to Paarl to play the Cobras while the Dolphins host the Warriors in Pietermaritzburg.
The Titans entertain the Knights in Benoni in the third game of the day. – Sapa